Troops of the Nigerian Army, operating under Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled an attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military location in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred on September 7, 2026, as troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), continued counter-terrorism operations in the area.
According to the Joint Task Force (North East), the terrorists launched an assault on the military position but were met with sustained firepower and determined resistance from the troops.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops “stood their ground” and denied the attackers any opportunity to breach or overrun their positions.
He said the terrorists were eventually forced to abandon the attack and withdraw from the area with casualties.
“The troops stood their ground and responded with sustained firepower and determined resistance, denying the terrorists any opportunity to breach or overrun their positions,” Goni said in a statement issued on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
He added that military positions across Pulka remained firmly under the control of security forces following the encounter.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI also provided air support during the engagement, conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations to enhance the troops’ situational awareness and coordination.
According to Goni, as the terrorists attempted to flee following the ground troops’ resistance, the Air Component conducted precision strikes against identified hostile elements, disrupting their withdrawal and frustrating attempts by the terrorists to regroup.
He said the CJTF also provided useful local information and assisted the troops in maintaining situational awareness during the operation.
One soldier sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm during the encounter and was promptly evacuated for medical attention.
Goni said the soldier had been stabilised and was responding to treatment, adding that his condition was stable.
Following the withdrawal of the terrorists, troops commenced exploitation operations to assess the damage inflicted on the attackers, recover abandoned weapons and equipment, and gather intelligence for possible follow-up operations against fleeing terrorist elements.
Goni described the successful defence of the military position as a demonstration of the “determination, bravery and combat readiness” of Operation HADIN KAI troops.
“Faced with an aggressive terrorist assault, the troops refused to yield ground and effectively frustrated the attackers’ attempt to disrupt military operations in Pulka,” he said.
He said the coordinated response involving ground troops, the Air Component and the CJTF further demonstrated the importance of joint operations in confronting terrorist threats in the North-East.
The military, according to him, has maintained heightened alert across the area, with aggressive patrols, surveillance and offensive and defensive operations continuing to restrict the movement and activities of terrorist elements.
“The military will sustain pressure on the terrorists while taking necessary measures to safeguard the lives and property of law-abiding citizens,” Goni said.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information on suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest security formation.
Goni reiterated the military’s commitment to defeating terrorism and other forms of insecurity, protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and creating conditions for sustainable peace and stability in the North-East.
